by Donna Grant
His large hands rubbed her back in slow circles. “I gather they were no’ happy.”
“I told them you no longer fought for evil, and they said you would have a choice to make soon.”
Dale’s silence stretched into minutes. “I willna ever side with evil again. No’ after I’ve tasted you.”
* * *
Dale was thankful when Rennie drifted off to sleep. It had taken every ounce of his considerable control not to strip her and take her once more.
Her magic had grown threefold since they had been in the chamber, and the longer they remained, the more it grew. He had no doubt that what the ancients had told her was true—she did have a destiny.
What gave him pause was their mention of him. They said he would have a choice, and it didn’t take much to determine that choice would be between good or evil.
Dale knew he was done with evil, but it was never so easy. Malevolent forces had a way of working things to their advantage, leaving a person with very few options. In his gut, Dale knew he would be put in such a position. How soon, and how it would involve Rennie, he couldn’t begin to fathom.
As he lay there, he could feel tiny vibrations in the earth. They were so minute that they were barely discernible, yet they wouldn’t be ignored.
Dale turned his head and looked at the fire. It appeared the flames would last for many days. As he looked into the fire, he spotted something white darting in and around the flames.
He paid closer attention and noticed the white ribbons of smoke were coming from beneath the fire pit and curling up to the flames where they intermingled.
His enhanced hearing picked up whispers of disembodied voices. Normally he would have been uneasy, but Dale knew this was a holy place for a Druid—and only mie magic had ever touched this place.
He glanced at Rennie to find she was still asleep, unfazed by the ribbons of magic or the voices. What intrigued him was the fact he was being allowed to witness it.
“I’ll help Rennie,” he whispered to the chamber at large. “I doona know what her destiny is, but I’ll help.”
The voices quieted for a heartbeat before they picked up again, this time louder. Still, Dale couldn’t make out what they were saying.
Carefully, he rolled onto his side while holding Rennie. Once she was on her back, he released her and got to his feet. Dale walked around the chamber hoping to better understand the voices.
And then he caught one word: solstice.
“I’ll be damned,” he murmured as he realized the winter solstice was upon them. It was an important Celtic holiday that Druids followed closely.
If Harriet was getting antsy to buy the land, then it had something to do with the winter solstice. How, Dale didn’t know. Yet.
The voices seemed to gather around him, and he was cautious to remain still. As he stood quietly, the voices became clearer and clearer until he could make out what they were saying.
“A Warrior. Here. In our holy place. At the winter solstice?”
“I’m here for Rennie.” The fact it was now the solstice put him on high alert.
“No Warrior has been allowed before.”
Why him, then? Dale was curious, but it would have to wait. “How do I keep Rennie safe?”
“She has a destiny to fulfill.”
Dale stopped short of rolling his eyes. First the ancients, and now the voices. He already knew Rennie had a destiny. “Are you the ancients?”
“Her family. Ancient, aye, but not the ancients.”
At least he’d gotten one answer. “What is her destiny?”
“Mustn’t say.”
Dale rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “Are you preventing her from leaving?”
“We are. It’s to keep her alive. There is danger coming for you both.”
“Harriet,” Dale ground out. “She wants the land.”
“Danger comes now!” the voices said furiously before they faded away.
Dale turned to the entrance as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He moved swiftly to stand near the tunnel, blocking whoever was coming from seeing Rennie sleeping.
He just hoped the same magic that was keeping Rennie inside the chamber would keep whoever was coming out. And when he caught sight of the red hair, he knew instantly it was Harriet.
She stopped just short of stepping into the chamber. Her gaze fastened on him and she quirked an eyebrow. “Well, just who are you?”
“No’ someone you want to mess with.”
“No, you’ve got it wrong, sweetheart. I’m not someone you want to mess with,” she said smugly.
Dale shook his head. All droughs were the same—conceited, arrogant, and brash. “Because you’re a Druid?”
Her eyes widened a fraction before she composed herself. “How do you know what I am?”
“Because your magic makes me want to be sick there is so much evil running through you. You cleverly hide the scars on your wrist well enough. And your Demon’s Kiss? Where is it?”
“With me, of course,” she said and looked him up and down. “Who are you?”
Dale kept silent.
“Rennie’s watchdog, are you?” Harriet said with a sneer. “She might come from a family of Druids, but if you want the real magic, you should side with me.”
“Never,” he said adamantly.
She cocked and eyebrow. “You said you felt my magic. As far as I know, there is only one creature who can sense magic—a Warrior.” Harriet suddenly laughed and clapped her hands together. “Oh, this is perfect. Mousy Rennie has a Warrior. Where did she find you?”
“Leave here, and I might allow you to live,” Dale warned.
“Allow me to live?” Harriet laughed coldly. “You’ve got it wrong, big man. I’ll be the one deciding who lives,” she said, the malice dripping from her words.
Dale released his god and lunged for her, but it was too late, a blast of magic had him pinned against the wall.
Chapter Nine
Rennie came out of her sleep slowly, the sound of the ancients screaming in her ear. When she did come fully awake she couldn’t shake the innate sense that she must remain absolutely still.
Her eyes flew open when she heard the malicious laughter. Then she saw Dale—his skin the same pale green she had seen in his eyes—suspended off the ground as he was held against the wall.
“I’ve wanted to meet a Warrior.”
As soon as the words were spoken Rennie recognized the voice—Harriet. Rennie’s gaze sought Dale’s, but he refused to even look her way. For whatever reason, Harriet didn’t know she was there, and Dale was doing his best to keep it that way.
“Does Rennie know what you are?” Harriet asked.
Dale’s lips peeled back to reveal impressive fangs. “She knows, drough.”
“And where is she?”
Rennie held her breath as she waited for Dale to answer. The stillness grew as he refused to respond.
A half-growl, half-scream fell from Harriet’s lips. “Talk, Warrior, or I’ll inflict more pain.”
Dale just smiled, as if inviting her to try. Rennie licked her lips while silently begging Dale not to antagonize Harriet.
“Suit yourself,” Harriet said.
A grimace stole over Dale’s face, and his body jerked as Harriet poured her magic into him. Rennie saw him clutching the stones and noticed his green claws.
Suddenly, Dale was dropped to the ground. He landed bent forward and slowly rolled up straight. His gaze was trained on Harriet, and there was deadly intent in his pale green Warrior eyes.
“Why can’t I get inside?” Harriet demanded.
“The MacBeths doona want you here.”
She gave a loud snort. “Our families had a truce.”
“A truce you’re breaking,” Dale reminded her. “This is Rennie’s land, and this chamber was meant for the Druids of her family. That isna you.”
“I’ve been searching for this place for over twenty years. I’ll not have some W
arrior stop me.”
Rennie was about to get up and tell Harriet what she could do with her plans. As if sensing her thoughts, Dale strode with long purposeful steps until he stood between Harriet and Rennie.
“I’m no’ the one preventing you from entering. That, drough, is Rennie’s ancestors and the magic they placed here.”
Rennie looked around the fire pit to watch Harriet, and that’s when she saw the white strips of something coming from beneath the pit. It wasn’t smoke, but she wasn’t sure what it was.
“Then we need Rennie so she can make sure I’m allowed in,” Harriet stated.
Rennie rolled her eyes. Did everyone think she was that naïve? Perhaps she was. She might not have ever liked Harriet, but she hadn’t thought Harriet would do her real harm. Dale had known though, and he had warned her.
The thought of what could have happened to her had Dale not come when he did left Rennie aghast. He hadn’t just saved her from the cold. He had saved her from Harriet.
One of the white streamers undulated toward her hand. Rennie saw it just as it touched her skin. Before she could move away she felt it brush against her as soft as a breeze.
Something sizzled beneath her skin, and her magic answered instantly. She reached for the streamer, surprised to find it winding around her fingers.
“Accept who you are.”
The ancients’ words reverberated in her mind. She had always accepted she was a Druid, she just hadn’t liked that she was one. All that had changed since Dale. He made her feel special, exceptional.
Remarkable.
She didn’t feel like a freak with him. In his arms, she embraced her magic and being a Druid. In his arms, she … accepted herself. All her faults, all her worries, all her dreams. And all her desires.
Rennie felt her magic swell, just as her passion did. They were intertwined—and connected to Dale. Instead of fighting against her magic, she let it envelop her, take her.
Her eyes slid shut as she heard Dale moan before he quickly turned it into a growl. She wondered if he could feel her magic, and she smiled as she remembered how it affected him.
Then she recalled Harriet and opened her eyes to find Harriet watching Dale intently.
“Is something wrong, Warrior?” she asked shrewdly.
Dale flexed his hands, his claws gleaming in the firelight. “Bugger off, drough.”
“Where is Rennie?”
“Somewhere you can no’ get to her.”
Harriet lifted a brow. “Is that right?”
“Aye. Since you can no’ get inside this chamber, and Rennie isna here for you to confront, maybe you should run along.”
“Oh, you’d like that,” she said with a sly smile. “But I’m not going anywhere, handsome. Why don’t you help me achieve my goals? I can give you anything you want.”
In response, Dale laughed. “I’ve found all I need.”
“Rennie?” Harriet asked with a sneer. “You need a real woman.”
“And that would be you?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll pass.”
Rennie could see Harriet’s ire growing. She had remained hidden long enough. This was her battle, not Dale’s. Rennie got to her feet and silently took a seat on one of the rocks.
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” Harriet said sweetly as she stuck her impressive breasts toward Dale.
Rennie squared her shoulders and said, “He’s already declined. Don’t make a bigger fool of yourself.”
Dale shifted so that he was in profile. He met her gaze and gave her a slight nod to let her know he would back whatever plan she had. The idea that no matter what he would be there gave Rennie the courage to use her magic in ways she had never thought to before.
Harriet’s gaze snapped to her, and the fury there made Rennie smile.
“You’ll never keep him,” Harriet snipped.
Rennie shrugged. “I’m not trying to tie him down. It’s Dale’s decision how long he remains.”
“Let me inside.”
“Oh, but she’s demanding,” Rennie said to Dale. The corners of his lips twitched, which helped to calm her nerves. She looked back at Harriet and said, “No.”
“No?” Harriet repeated in disbelief.
“Do you have a hearing problem now? No. I don’t want you inside, and as a matter of fact, I don’t want you anywhere on my property ever again.”
Harriet laughed, the sound cold and hollow. “As if you could stop me. You, a mie, against me? You’d lose.”
“Want to try me?” Rennie knew she shouldn’t have challenged Harriet, but she couldn’t help herself. The woman seriously needed to be brought down a peg or three.
Harriet placed her hands on either side of the narrow tunnel and glared at Rennie. “Do you even know what’s inside that chamber?”
“Do you?” Rennie wasn’t about to let on that she had just discovered the chamber and had no idea what was inside it. Whatever Harriet wanted, Rennie was prepared to do anything to keep it from her.
Harriet’s slow smile sent chills of foreboding down Rennie’s spine. “I certainly do. It’s priceless.”
“You’ll never get inside to get it, and I’ll never give it to you. You’re just shit outta luck.” With every word Rennie could feel her confidence and faith in herself and her magic grow.
“You think because I can’t get inside it means that I can’t harm you?” Harriet made a tsking sound. “How very pathetic you are.”
Rennie stood, her magic rushing to fill her palms when Harriet shrieked and let loose a lob of magic. It hit Rennie in the gut, doubling her over.
The pain was staggering as it vibrated throughout her entire body. Before she could contain the ache, several rounds of magic struck her, sending her spinning as she struggled to stay on her feet.
So much for her growing confidence. Harriet had quickly set her back to square one, but Rennie wasn’t about to give up. Dale had conviction in her, as did the ancients.
Rennie’s legs wouldn’t work properly, but she refused to go down. Somehow she managed to make it to the wall where she propped herself up.
She drew her magic into her palms once more and flung up her hands as the balls of magic shot toward Harriet. Because Harriet wasn’t expecting them, the two blasts pelted her—one in the neck, the other in her abdomen.
In a blink, Dale was by her side. “Rennie.”
“It’s just pain,” she said as she welcomed his touch. “It’ll go away.”
“She could kill you,” he whispered harshly.
Rennie looked into his green Warrior eyes, but before she could respond, he spun them away just as a blast of magic hit the wall where she had been.
She quickly sent off a round at Harriet while Dale kept her moving. It was working perfectly. That in itself should have told Rennie it wouldn’t last.
One round of magic from Harriet sent Rennie falling to the side as Dale was unceremoniously brought to his knees. Rennie looked to find him with his claws sunk deep in his chest, a low rumbling growl full of fury and reckoning filling the chamber.
Rennie jumped to her feet and tried to rush to him while keeping Harriet occupied dodging blasts of magic. She reached Dale, but no matter how Rennie tugged, she couldn’t pull his claws from his chest.
His eyes silently beseeched her to leave him. As if she would. Rennie called up her magic and pressed her hands against him as she poured it into him.
Dale was blinded by the pure beauty of her magic, as it filled him and chased away Harriet’s hold, giving him the ability to pull his claws from his body. He was filled with uncontrollable desire as his cock hardened painfully, the need and craving for Rennie overwhelming. He wanted nothing more than to pull Rennie into his arms, but there was evil about.
His gaze moved to Harriet in time to see her send a ball of magic at Rennie. Rennie screamed in agony—the sound echoing in his head—as she fell to the ground as silent as death.
Dale bent over her feeling for
a pulse. He found one, but it was faint. She had used her magic for him, and in the process left herself defenseless. He had brought evil to her, just as he’d feared he would. With a roar, he stood and faced Harriet.
“She’s not dead. Yet,” Harriet said. “I can ensure that she is.”
“Even if she’s dead you willna get inside.”
“No, I don’t expect I will.” She absently knocked her palm against her leg several times. “You must care for her very much.”
Dale knew where this was headed. “Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? What do you want?”
“I want what’s hidden inside that cavern.”
Dale threw back his head and barked with laughter. “You doona know what you search for. How then do you know it’s here?”
“It’s here. It’s always been here,” she ground out angrily. “My family has spoken of it for generations. Every Druid on Coll knew the MacBeths had something to make their magic stronger.”
“And you think it’s an item?”
“I know it is.”
Dale spread his arms wide. “I doona see anything.”
“You need to look, idiot.”
He dropped his arms and gave a firm shake of his head. “No’ going to happen.”
“If you want Rennie to walk out of that chamber alive, you will.”
Anger, sharp and true, shot through him. His hands itched to wrap around her neck and squeeze. “You wouldna dare.”
“Oh, I would. I’ve spent years buying up all the land the stupid MacBeths sold over generations. I tried to be reasonable with Rennie and offer her more than this place was worth, but nothing I did convinced her to sell. She left me little option.”
Dale could see the truth in her eyes. Harriet would kill Rennie if he didn’t do as she wanted. “How did you know of the chamber?”
“One of the MacBeths told my great-great-great grandfather after a night of drinking. I’ve known the location for some time, and no matter how many times I’ve come, I’ve never been able to get below. Until today. I gather that’s because Rennie is here.”
Dale clenched his teeth as he went through his choices, which were very few indeed.
“Now, Dale, be a sweetheart and find me what I’m looking for before I kill Rennie,” she said and held out her hand as a ball of magic appeared.